Sign element and a method of manufacture



Aug. 20, 1940- EL. REGISTER SIGN ELEMENT "AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Filed June 26, 1939 Patented Aug. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES SIGN ELEMENT AND A METHOD 0 MANUFAGTURE I Everett L. Register, Springfield, Ill., assignor to North American Service 60., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June26, 1939, Serial No. 281,071

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in sign elements, and a method of manufacture thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved sign element comprising a cast or molded body or frame, which may be manufactured at an extremely low production cost, and which is nevertheless durable, serviceable, and attractive of appearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sign element of the character stated, which requires for its production a minimum of skilled labor and time-consuming operations, while at the same time furnishing an article which appears to be the product of a highly skilled artisan.

A further object of the invention is that of employing a new and simple method of manufacture for articles of the character above referred to, whereby there is effected a material saving of time and expense, and enabling the manufacture of such articles on a production basis.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational View of a signelement embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental elevational view of the article illustrated by Fig. 1, showing the rear thereof.

The method and means of the present invention are applicable to sign elements or characters of various types, whether they be numerals, letters or figures having different configurations. The use of a block type numeral in this disclosure, therefore, is intended to be illustrative only, and is not employed in a limiting sense to restrict the invention.

With reference to the accompanying drawing, the character 4 indicates a cast or molded frame or body for a sign element, which may be of malleable metal or equivalent material. The face of the frame is open, as indicated at 5, so that a light reflecting face piece 6 may be observed therethrough. The face piece 6 is supported upon an outer ledge or flange l which follows the contour of the sign element generally.

Upon the back of the face piece 6 may be applied, if desired, a coating or sheet l3 of mastic or similar material which may seal the rear of the face piece against entry of water, dust or other foreign matter. The reflector or face piece is held in position by means of a template or back plate 8 which rests against a secondary inner (G1. 40140) Iv ledge or flange 9 formed interiorly of the'frame 4. p The plate 8 may be of sheet metal or any other suitable sheet material that will withstand the force and shock'of a press or hammer used in deforming the rearmost marginal edge Iii, as in- 5 dicated at l2. The force of the press or hammer, applied to the edge ID at right angles to the plane of the frame or body 4, results in crushing the inner corner of the edge Ill and driving the displaced comparatively soft metal against the peripheral edges of the template or back plate 8, thereby locking it against the template support flanges 9 without inflicting injury upon the reflector, which may be of glass or vitreous material in some instances. The deforming effect of the hammer or press is not in evidence upon the exterior surface of the sign element. The mastic or other'material 13 may serve as a cushion for the blow of the hammer or the force of the press, and any extrusion that occurs will effectively seal the structure as heretofore explained.

While a number of different means may be employed for mounting the finished element upon a background, there is illustrated a screw or bolt M the head l5 of which is received in a socket or countersunk depression l6 formed in the material of the template, 8. The socket or depression, of course, is perforated centrally to accommodate. the shank. of the screw or other mounting device. Any sufficient number of fasteners may be provided, and instead of screws or bolts, these may be furnished in the form of prongs or nails, if desired. The head of the fastener might also be spot welded to that face of the template which appears in Fig. 3. The template preferably is of a material which is stiff or rigid, in comparison with the material of the frame or body 4.

The reflector or face piece may be of glass suitably treated to accentuate its light reflecting qualities, or it may be of polished metal or any other attractive material, colored or not, as desired. Also, the reflector may be inserted in the frame as a single formed piece, or in sections, as may be desired. It should be noted in conclusion, that the reflector is protected from injury at all times by the outer flange or ledge I which overhangs it along the entire periphery,

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes in the structural details of the device may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing fromthe spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sign character, the combination of a frame having the shape of the character and 55 open at its front and rear, a shoulder defining said opening at the front of the frame and a second shoulder spaced rearwardly of the first mentioned one and extending laterally outward therefrom, a face piece having marginal engagement with said first mentioned shoulder so as to have a portion thereof observable from the front of the sign character, plate-like means having marginal engagement with the second mentioned shoulder and having a portion within its margin functioning as a backing for the face piece, and means struck from portions of the frame outwardly of said second shoulder and overlapping portions of said plate-like means for holding the same in engagement with said second mentioned shoulder.

2. In a sign character, the combination of a frame having the shape of the character and open at its front and rear, a shoulder defining said opening at the front of the frame and a second shoulder spaced rearwardly of the first mentioned one and extending laterally outward therefrom, a face piece having marginal engagement with said first mentioned shoulder so as to have a portion thereof observable from the front of the sign character, plate-like means having marginal engagement with the second mentioned shoulder and having a portion within its margin functioning as a backing for the face piece, means for securing said plate-like means in engagement with said second shoulder, and means carried by said plate-like means and projecting rearwardly therefrom for attaching the sign character to a support.

3. In a sign character, the combination of a frame having the shape of the character and open at its front and rear, a shoulder defining said opening at the front of the frame and a second shoulder spaced rearWardly of the first mentioned one and extending laterally outwardly therefrom, a flange on said frame extending rearwardly from said second shoulder, a face piece having marginal engagement in the first mentioned shoulder so as to have a portion thereof observable from the front of the sign character, and plate-like means having marginal engagement with said second shoulder and substantially engaging at its edge with said flange, portions of said flange being upset into 0verlapping engagement with said plate-like means to secure the same in engagement with said second shoulder.

EVERETT L. REGISTER. 

